Great Gatsby at the Polo Match & Hispanics for the Opera Gala

The Polo season in Southern California leaped forward with a spectacular match between the Beverly Hills Polo Club and the Celebrity Ranch Polo Club, for a Charity event in tribute to The Great Gatsby film, on behalf of the Celebrity Foundation for Children at Will Rogers State Park. It gave us the opportunity to witness our first Polo Match, and don our filmy summer chemise and matching bonnet, and re-create a nostalgic day with such celebs as Ed Lauter (The Artist), Rebecca Holden (Nightrider) the gorgeous Tyrone Power Jr, Soap Star, Brenda Dickson, and Deborah Shelton (Dallas).

Placido Domingo with Alicia & Ed Clark at Hispanics for the Opera

We were seated in a special VIP area with on-field lounge chairs and sofas, and treated to magnums of champagne and a delicious catered gourmet grilled lunch. The best part was meeting some of the handsome players, including two Argentine pro players who were competing against each other -- Tope Mendez for Beverly Hills Polo, and Alejandro Nordheimer for Celebrity Ranch Polo.

Kudos to Michael Farah, the gracious organizer of the event, and El Patron of the Celebrity Ranch Polo Club; and PR Wiz, Edward Lozzi for providing a glamorous and gratifying afternoon which helped benefit needy children.

Placido Domingo special Concert for Zarzuela and Latin American Music at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center was a great success. He was backed by Spanish conductor Jodi Bernacer leading the LA Opera Orchestra, and the presentation of successful young opera singers from Spain, Uruguay, Mexico and featuring the famous Pepe Aguilar and his Mariachi. Maestro Domingo, at age 72, still keeps audiences extremely enthusiastic and happy with his fantastic interpretations of romantic songs and his amazing voice.

Michael Farah, Organizer of Event, with Mr. & Mrs. Tyrone Power, Jr.

The concert was the perfect intro to the annual elegant Placido Domingo Awards dinner, presented by the Hispanic for L.A. Opera in the Eva and Marc I. Stern Grand Hall. This event is dedicated to recognize Hispanic opera artists and friends who have contributed to the Opera, and to increase its Hispanic audience. Awards were presented to Mexican American soprano, Allyn Perez, Spanish tenor Antonio Vazquez, and Jamie Rigler, President of the Lloyd E. Rigler -Lawrence E. Deutsch Foundation.

Actress Brenda Dickson with Polo Player, Santiago, in background on his horse, India

More than 220 guests enjoyed the elegant evening of fine wines, great food from Patino and dancing till dawn. Kudos to Alicia & Ed Clark and all the hard working members of Hispanics for the Opera for another glamorous gala.